HC Deb 06 April 1998 vol 310 c101W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the(a) health and (b) other problems caused by the creation of landfill sites in Wales. [37155]

Mr. Win Griffiths

The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating landfill sites in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It has the lead responsibility to ensure that sites are managed so as to minimise any adverse effects arising from the activities carried out.

I am not aware of any health problems linked to landfill sites in Wales generally. I am aware of allegations made of ill-health being linked to the Nantgwyddon site in the Rhondda. Professor Stephen Palmer of the Welsh Combined Centres for Public Health has investigated the health of residents living near this site. His research identified a higher rate of congenital abnormalities in babies born near to the site, predating the establishment of the landfill facility. His report also identified an unusual cluster of gastroschisis in babies born near to the site since 1991.

The raised incidence of certain health indicators near to the site does not, in itself, establish that the landfill site is the cause of the observed ill-health.

Officials from the Welsh Office have met with those of other Departments to discuss the possibility of a study into ill-health around UK landfill sites. There are a number of technical issues to be resolved before any such study can proceed.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much radioactive waste was imported to Wales in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [37154]

Mr. Win Griffiths

Over the past three years no radioactive waste has been imported to Wales for disposal from outside the UK. The only radioactive waste disposed of which was not generated in Wales was that sent for incineration from users in England.

The radioactivity and quantities involved are given in the following table.
Radioactivity 1997 1996 1995
C-14 + H-3 Activity (MBq) 2.723 122.8784 6,735.313
1–125 + 1–131 Activity (MBq) Beta/gamma - 237.55 909.38
Activity (kBq) - 10,252 29,625
Volume (litres) 422.6 4,768 13,479

Notes:

Mbq(Mega-Becquerel); kBq(Kilo-Becquerel).

C-14(Carbon-14); H-3(Tritium); 1–125(Iodine-125);

1–131(Iodine-131).